Kiko: Being a lawyer is not a flex but a duty

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan hailed those who passed the Bar exams as the Supreme Court (SC) released the results on Wednesday, 7 January.

In a statement, Pangilinan stressed that being a lawyer is "not a flex, but a duty."

"Welcome to the work of lawyering. In a time when there seems to be no law and the country is drowning in corruption, being an 'Atty' is not just a flex, it is a job," Pangilinan said.

"Our government needs us. Our courts, our unions, and our communities. Choose to serve even if it's messy and not glamorous," he added.

Pangilinan, also a lawyer, urged passers to "practice with integrity, consistency, and a bias for truth and social justice."

"Be lawyers who ask who benefits, who gets left out, and who pays the price. Then act," he continued.

To those who did not pass, Pangilinan said that the Bar "is not a finish line" rather a "gate to what you can do."

"To those who didn’t make it this year: Not everything that fails is lost. Failing the Bar is not a final judgment on your intelligence, grit, or calling. It’s simply one snapshot, not the whole story. Rest, regroup, and return when you’re ready. The law, and the country, will still need you," he added.

A total of 5,594 out of 11,420 examinees passed the 2025 Bar Examinations, or 48.98 percent of the total takers who completed all three exam days.

The High Court approved a 75 percent passing grade for all takers.

The number of passers this year is higher than last year's 3,962.

Meanwhile, the Ateneo de Manila University emerged as the top-performing law school after recording a 98.11 percent passing rate, with 104 of its 106 first-time takers successfully passing the Bar.

University of the Philippines alumnus Jhenroniel Rhey Timola Sanchez topped the Bar.